Right here’s a abstract of this week’s feedback concerning the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs…
Don’t overreact about Kansas Metropolis’s first loss, which didn’t occur till virtually Thanksgiving; it felt prefer it was coming for the previous a number of weeks. The Chiefs got here all the way down to earth, shedding a uncommon two-possession recreation at Buffalo. [That means] we’ve gone from speaking about an unbeaten season to all of the sudden questioning if Kansas Metropolis will find yourself with a first-round bye within the playoffs. [But] now, the Chiefs know exactly what they will and can’t get away with. [For example]: Rashee Rice was off to an important begin to the season, main the NFL with 24 receptions and the second-most receiving yards (288) earlier than Week 4. [Now, however,] they acquired Xavier Worthy going towards the Payments. That will probably be massive down the road. [Since] Andy Reid wants 62 extra wins to go Don Shula and change into the NFL’s all-time winningest coach within the common season, they’ll simply shrug and maintain going. Three of the subsequent 4 video games are towards groups at the least 4 video games under .500 — which ought to imply bonus tickets at Arrowhead in late January.
Right here’s this week’s sampling — a few of which can sound acquainted:
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If the Chiefs had received Sunday, they may have all however wrapped up the AFC’s No. 1 seed. Now that race is doubtful, with the Payments on their tails and the Steelers a couple of lengths again (a Week 17 assembly in Pittsburgh looms). So we’ve gone from speaking about an unbeaten season to all of the sudden questioning if Kansas Metropolis will find yourself with a first-round bye within the playoffs. We all know from historical past that solely issues a lot; for 2 of their three Tremendous Bowl wins through the Andy Reid period, the Chiefs weren’t the convention’s prime seed. Taking the lengthy, exhausting highway to a 3rd straight Tremendous Bowl title continues to be a giant, massive ask, even for this legendary dynasty. Probably the most tough half about Sunday’s defeat to Buffalo is that a few of the massive canine got here up brief. Patrick Mahomes threw two powerful picks, Travis Kelce was held in verify, DeAndre Hopkins was quiet and the vaunted protection didn’t carry out as much as its typical customary.
— Eric Edholm
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Preseason scorching seat: WR Rashee RiceCurrent temperature of scorching seat: Chilly
Rice was off to an important begin to the season, main the NFL with 24 receptions and the second-most receiving yards (288) earlier than Week 4. Then he injured his proper knee in an unintended collision with Patrick Mahomes and had posterolateral nook surgical procedure in early October. The priority earlier than the season was Rice’s authorized troubles, which nonetheless haven’t been resolved. However he was essential because the Chiefs’ main receiver previous to his damage.
— Adam Teicher
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Head coach seat temperature verify: Gold
That’s not a typo that ought to learn chilly. Andy Reid’s seat is a throne. The 66-year-old will go away Kansas Metropolis when he’s prepared and never earlier than. He’s below contract by the 2029 season, and that contract is value $100 million, based on Sportico. Reid wants 62 extra wins to go Don Shula and change into the NFL’s all-time winningest coach within the common season. He must keep on a torrid tempo to get there by the top of this contract, however he’s on a torrid tempo now.
— Josh Kendall
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Now the Chiefs know exactly what they will and can’t get away with. The go rush wants to enhance. And go safety as nicely. Patrick Mahomes was below stress on almost 40% of his snaps regardless of the Payments dashing greater than 4 defenders on roughly 22% of Mahomes’s dropbacks. The Payments did a superb job, for my part, of layering stress and attacking Mahomes through the latter components of his drop when he’s usually capable of lengthen performs and permit vast receivers to interrupt open.
— Conor Orr
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They’ll simply shrug and maintain going.
— Mike Florio
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A lot for the undefeated season. At the least they acquired Xavier Worthy going towards the Payments. That will probably be massive down the road.
— Pete Prisco
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Don’t overreact about Kansas Metropolis’s first loss, which didn’t occur till virtually Thanksgiving. The Chiefs misplaced an in depth recreation on the highway after beginning the season 9-0. They’ve received back-to-back championships. The Payments acquired again within the race for the No. 1 playoff seed with a giant win Sunday, however the Chiefs nonetheless have the higher document and the lead in that race. Kansas Metropolis nonetheless deserves the No. 2 spot within the rankings for now. They’re not going wherever.
— Frank Schwab
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The Chiefs got here all the way down to earth, shedding a uncommon two-possession recreation at Buffalo. Mahomes performed nicely, however the protection had a couple of extra lapses than anticipated. They’re nonetheless in command of the AFC’s prime seed, and ultimately, getting the loss out of the way in which is perhaps a great factor for the playoffs.
— Vinnie Iyer
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“The undefeated factor was cool. However that’s not our final aim.” Nicely stated, Mr. Mahomes. Dwelling-field benefit can be cool, and three of the subsequent 4 video games are towards groups at the least 4 video games under .500 – which ought to imply bonus tickets at Arrowhead in late January.
— Nate Davis
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The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs lastly misplaced, and it felt prefer it was coming for the previous a number of weeks. The offense has seemed good in spurts, however it hasn’t constantly scored 24+ factors.
In opposition to good groups, that’s what you might want to do. The Chiefs will probably be simply wonderful in the long term, and a loss like this might find yourself being a great factor for them. So don’t panic an excessive amount of right here.
— Marcus Mosher
